Cedar Rapids,IA,USA Executive Director-Cedar

VenuWorks of Cedar Rapids, LLC is an employee-owned company proudly situated in the vibrant Midwest community of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This strategic location offers access to five major markets within a short driving radius, reinforcing Cedar Rapids' longstanding reputation as a premier hub for entertainment since the 1970s. VenuWorks has established itself as a distinguished manager of key entertainment venues within the City of Cedar Rapids, including the Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena, the historic Paramount Theatre, the boutique outdoor McGrath Amphitheatre, and the 2-sheet ImOn Ice rink. Beyond venue management, VenuWorks also operates the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office, formerly the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), which actively promotes the city by recruiting large meetings, conventions, and sporting tournaments to local facilities. The role of Executive Director at VenuWorks is a senior leadership position that embodies the spirit of employee ownership and servant leadership. This position requires an individual who can lead a diverse team of professionals by fostering an environment that encourages growth, learning, and development while cultivating strong community relations. The Executive Director acts as a pivotal community leader who builds relationships with contract administrators, city officials, and a variety of community stakeholders. Effective communication skills are essential to navigate the intricate landscape of live entertainment operations, which involve coordinating multiple diverse business units operating simultaneously under tight timetables. The Executive Director's primary responsibility is to oversee all aspects of the managed venues, encompassing operations, sales, marketing, finance, food and beverage, security, IT, production, technology, capital projects, and community relations. This role demands extensive expertise in managing venue operations to maximize event bookings and revenue opportunities while collaborating closely with city leaders and community partners to attract regional and national events. A critical part of the role includes financial oversight, ensuring that budgets are developed and managed effectively across all business units, alongside maintaining operational excellence, safety compliance, and community engagement. Further, the Executive Director provides leadership for the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office, implementing innovative marketing campaigns and sales strategies to incentivize meeting planners and governing bodies to select Cedar Rapids as their event destination. This includes organizing familiarization tours, publishing destination guides, and coordinating local services to ensure a seamless experience for event organizers and attendees. Oversight of venue operations extends to supervising food and beverage services, concessions, and catering to maintain a high standard of quality and guest satisfaction. The Executive Director is also responsible for recruiting, training, and evaluating administrative and supervisory staff, conducting regular performance appraisals, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Effective contract negotiation, compliance monitoring, and maintaining adherence to safety and emergency preparedness protocols are also integral components of the position. This role calls for someone who can thrive in a fast-paced environment, making decisive executive decisions while maintaining calm composure amidst multiple ongoing events and operational challenges. The Executive Director must be proactive in community involvement, representing VenuWorks at public engagements, media interviews, and industry events, reinforcing the company’s positive reputation and leadership within the entertainment and hospitality industry. Overall, this position is ideal for a visionary leader committed to excellence in entertainment venue management, community engagement, and financial stewardship, who embraces the values of employee ownership and strives to sustain Cedar Rapids as a premier destination for live events and tourism.

• Must have the ability to work varied hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• demonstrated ability to follow directions and complete tasks with minimal instruction
• ability to organize workflow and meet deadlines
• skilled in meeting and exceeding expectations with effective communication and personal poise
• excellent teamwork skills
• ability to contribute to a positive work environment
• ability to read, analyze, and interpret business and regulatory documents
• public speaking skills
• ability to write reports, correspondence, and manuals
• proficiency in mathematical calculations including interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages
• ability to solve complex problems sensitively and decisively
• calm and composed in a fast-paced environment
• physical ability to talk, hear, sit, reach, stand, walk, use hands, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift up to 25 pounds
• ability to focus vision and adjust as required
• occasional exposure to mechanical parts, fumes, and outdoor weather
• willingness to comply with OSHA, NFPA, and insurance policies